SPECTOR® Club - Part 66

[awilkie84]

Don't know yet - haven't tried anything on my new builds that isn't tapered yet. My older 5XL had Fat Beams on it for a time and it was OK. I still have a set of Fat Beams at home and I'm planning on ordering some SS Lo-Riders as well. I have a bunch of single SS Lo-Riders around I had meant for use with drop tunings but I had a hard time getting the wrap through the bridge, but again that was a Euro bridge.

I'm planning on setting up the blue 5XL ADGCF when I have a chance so I'd likely be using the 135 Lo-Rider for that since that's the heaviest they have. I'll find out then if it's an issue. I still have a Euro 5 that is setup CGCFBb with the CK's, but I had a problem getting a 125 Lo-Rider in that bridge too so I don't know if I will convert that one over to DR or put it back to standard.

It wasn't really an issue getting the .125 DR through on my ReBop. It's wound to about .130 at the ball. Now, the .132 of the XL was a PITA. It's wound to about .135 and then nylon wrapped to almost .140

 

[mmbongo]

Good to know. I've had ProSteels on one of the Euro 435's I sold off, but I had not tried them yet on one of the 5'ers. I have to measure and see if I need to order the super longs or not. Sounds like the method for this is to park the string at the nut when tuned to pitch, and then measure from the inside of the ball end to the mark while the string is uninstalled to see what length I need.

Can any of our resident string experts say if this method is accurate across all strings? Meaning, if I measure that way for the E, is that measurement also valid for the A, D or G? My biggest concern is getting strings that are too long and wind up with the thick part of the wrap around the post.

D'Addario's should fit fine. The newest batch are wound to around 37.25" while the old ones were 36.5" but even the old ones would fit on my 35" Spector.

If you want to make sure you get the newest ones, get them from www.bassstringsonline.com where you can even get custom balanced sets!

 

[bunkaroo]

It wasn't really an issue getting the .125 DR through on my ReBop. It's wound to about .130 at the ball. Now, the .132 of the XL was a PITA. It's wound to about .135 and then nylon wrapped to almost .140

This must have been an oddball then. I had pushed plenty of DR 130's through the bridges of my other 5LX and Webster, and yet this other Euro 5 wouldn't take it. I didn't try it on the others though - I should try and confirm if it's the string or the bridge.

 

[johnsonabq]

I'm planning on setting up the blue 5XL ADGCF when I have a chance so I'd likely be using the 135 Lo-Rider for that since that's the heaviest they have. I'll find out then if it's an issue. I still have a Euro 5 that is setup CGCFBb with the CK's, but I had a problem getting a 125 Lo-Rider in that bridge too so I don't know if I will convert that one over to DR or put it back to standard.

You're awesome, being able to keep track of all those tunings. I consider myself lucky to just be able to swap back and forth between a four and five string bass in standard tuning.

Do you do your own neck adjustments?

 

[TK4261]

HI All,

+1 on DR's

I posted the modded Legend fretless in the classifieds a few minutes ago. I'm not as sad to see this one go cause I have never been a fretless player but always wanted to own one to noodle around on..Hope someone will pick this up that plays fretless and will enjoy it.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f126/fs-spector-legend-classic-lined-fretless-customized-1009131/

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f126/fs-spector-2013-euro-4lx-spalted-maple-special-order-1008937/

 

[bunkaroo]

You're awesome, being able to keep track of all those tunings. I consider myself lucky to just be able to swap back and forth between a four and five string bass in standard tuning.

Do you do your own neck adjustments?

Well I don't know about awesome, but I have been told I am good with details.

The ADGCF is just a 5-string down a whole step which I thought I might use for some stuff. Most of the time I need a low A, I just drop it on my BEADG bass, but since I had "extra" basses around I gave it a shot. It's cool playing in A the way you would in B in terms of phrasings.

I like drop C as well, but rather than having to drop C on the ADGCF bass, I just decided to do a separate bass in drop C. That's what I used to do with my Euro 435, but I sold those and decided to add a high string to a 5 so it's drop C plus a high Bb. So basically a full step down from EADGC but with a drop C. The cool thing about this tuning is you get pretty much the whole melodic range of a 6-string BEADGC bass in 5-string, just minus the low B note and the highest B and C notes. Makes for some interesting chords too.

I am doing my own neck adjustments now since it became too much of a pain in the neck (pun!) to run to the shop every time I wanted to experiment with something. The guy I went to used to do it while you waited which was cool, but he was 45 minutes now. Had been going to him for over 15 years. He also didn't want to use his files on the brass nut, so at that point I realized I just need to learn how to do this stuff.

Cool thing is, I have had to make very little if any adjustments to the necks since I've picked strings that should match tension at lower tunings what the bass was setup for at standard tuning.

 

[e.rich]

For you sweaty guys, have you tried denatured alcohol?

I'm more of a gin guy personally, but hey. To each his own.

 

[bunkaroo]

D'Addario's should fit fine. The newest batch are wound to around 37.25" while the old ones were 36.5" but even the old ones would fit on my 35" Spector.

If you want to make sure you get the newest ones, get them from www.bassstringsonline.com where you can even get custom balanced sets!

Oh I've ordered plenty custom sets from BSO.

I'm going to give the Lo-Riders a go first and then maybe order the ProSteels. I've read the tension on the steel Lo-Riders is higher than the same gauge on a ProSteel which is what I want.

 

[MDBass]

That's entirely correct in my experience.

I had a helluva time with the B string on my Euro 5 (had to go down to 120 to avoid filing, even then it was snug) but no problems whatsoever with 125's or 130's on my Forte.

I was told this would not be an issue with USA bridges. Is this not the case?

 

[MDBass]

I play very aggressively and my hands and sweat are naturally caustic to metal to boot; even DR's, which I love and are notorious for their long life, are usually shot after a show or two, maybe three if I get an exceptional set.

I've been cleaning and reusing strings sets for years by bringing them to boil in a stainless steel pot of tap water; run cold water into the pot to cool them back down, wipe completely dry, and they are back to nearly new again.

They even seem to wear slower after being boiled as well; I can do this anywhere between 10-20 times before experiencing diminished returns to the point where they simply need replacing.

Speaking of worn out strings, I'd heard Janek G had started a company that allows you to donate old sets to players around the world who don't have the access to new strings; anyone know what it's called?

For you sweaty guys, have you tried denatured alcohol? I've been getting good results cleaning strings that way. I am the same way - I make strings dull with sweat and dirt long before they have a chance to wear out. This happens to me even when I'm not sweating. I wahs my hands before I play and wipe my strings down between every song at home or rehearsal. For shows, the strings are assumed to be goners until I soak them. I soak the strings overnight, let them air dry and they're 95% new sounding.

 

[johnsonabq]

That's entirely correct in my experience.

I had a helluva time with the B string on my Euro 5 (had to go down to 120 to avoid filing, even then it was snug) but no problems whatsoever with 125's or 130's on my Forte.

I can understand the hesitancy to widen the low B on the Euro bridge. If you go too far you're buying a new bridge. But... Just be careful. If you want I can find the bit I used and let anyone know the size. Seems to me this is a design flaw and shouldn't have to be lived with.

 

[bunkaroo]

I tried boiling in the past and for me it was never as effective as the denatured alcohol has been.

 

[MDBass]

Turns out I actually prefer the added snap and additional harmonic content of the slightly lighter gauges

I can understand the hesitancy to widen the low B on the Euro bridge. If you go too far you're buying a new bridge. But... Just be careful. If you want I can find the bit I used and let anyone know the size. Seems to me this is a design flaw and shouldn't have to be lived with.

 

[MDBass]

The alcohol may very well be more effective, I've honestly never AB'd the two.

I just prefer the boiling for the simplicity and quick turnaround; I can have a fresh set of strings in 15 minutes instead of waiting overnight.

I tried boiling in the past and for me it was never as effective as the denatured alcohol has been.

 

[awilkie84]

The alcohol may very well be more effective, I've honestly never AB'd the two.

I just prefer the boiling for the simplicity and quick turnaround; I can have a fresh set of strings in 15 minutes instead of waiting overnight.

You don't worry about the contents of your tap water degrading the metal?

 

[superdick2112]

I'm more of a gin guy personally, but hey. To each his own.

Single malt scotch here, preferably the Lagavulin 16-yr. old.

The alcohol may very well be more effective, I've honestly never AB'd the two.

I just prefer the boiling for the simplicity and quick turnaround; I can have a fresh set of strings in 15 minutes instead of waiting overnight.

+ 1
Same here.
I've boiled hundreds of sets over the years, especially when funds were tight.
I don't boil these days unless I forget to order strings online, & run out before a new case arrives.

 

[johnsonabq]

Turns out I actually prefer the added snap and additional harmonic content of the slightly lighter gauges

You're good to go then.

I just got fed up. I was using .130s then swapped to .125s and still they wouldn't fit. Since I drilled it out I've had no issues. Spector really needs to address this. Quite the oversight.

 

[superdick2112]

You don't worry about the contents of your tap water degrading the metal?

I don't - they get one boiling only.
After boiling, I'll get one rehearsal or gig out of them before changing them.

 

[bunkaroo]

The alcohol may very well be more effective, I've honestly never AB'd the two.

I just prefer the boiling for the simplicity and quick turnaround; I can have a fresh set of strings in 15 minutes instead of waiting overnight.

Good point. For me I typically have two sets I rotate, so I have a "freshly" cleaned set ready and the ones I just took off go in the alcohol. I can also do multiple cleanings - it doesn't seem to weaken the strings.

 

[iceboxbass]

Hey all! I was able to come home today about 10:30am
Sorry about no Coda pictures:scowl: no sooner than got into the prep room and they were on the fast track into surgery. Next thing I knew I was waking up in my room. I didn't even remember being wheeled out of prep! Lol Great drugs! Doc said this morning that I can get back to playing my bass right away! Yay! Just can't use shoulder strap yet of course. First time pain free in 3 years! No need for pain meds now even.
Gotta go rest now...peace all! Thank you for all your prayers, thoughts, great vibes and encouragement brethren!
(From last 3 pages of part 65...I've had the snippy snippy "The big V" when Dr.s used clam shells ) lol 1981!